Perfect custom color match
Stain is applied after installation, so every plank, transition, and stair nose matches exactly — no factory-edge color variation.
Michigan hardwood flooring specialists since 1985
Unfinished Hardwood Flooring in Michigan
Unfinished hardwood is sanded and finished after installation — giving you a seamless, custom floor with no factory edge gaps. We stock red oak, white oak, maple, hickory, and more at our Rochester Hills showroom.
Rochester Hills showroom — serving Michigan homeowners, contractors, and builders
Why choose unfinished hardwood
Six advantages over prefinished flooring
Prefinished hardwood is convenient, but unfinished delivers a level of customization and longevity that factory-finished products cannot match.
Seamless sanded surface
On-site sanding eliminates the micro-beveled edges found on prefinished planks, producing a flat, continuous surface across the entire floor.
Refinishable multiple times
Unfinished solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished 5–8 times over its lifetime, making it the most durable long-term flooring investment.
Wider species and grade selection
Unfinished stock is available in more species, widths, and grades than prefinished — including character, select, and rift-and-quartered cuts.
Lower material cost per square foot
Unfinished boards cost less per square foot than comparable prefinished products. The finishing labor is offset by the lower material price on larger jobs.
Ideal for matching existing floors
When adding hardwood to a room that already has an existing floor, unfinished allows the finisher to blend the stain color precisely to the original.
Available species
Unfinished hardwood species we stock in Michigan
Each species accepts stain differently. Our team can help you choose the right wood for your finish goal.
Red Oak
The most common unfinished hardwood in Michigan. Open grain accepts stain evenly and pairs well with warm, traditional, or contemporary finishes.
Learn moreWhite Oak
Tighter grain than red oak with natural grey undertones. Excellent for Scandinavian, modern, and wire-brushed finishes. Available rift-and-quartered.
Learn moreMaple
Hard, dense, and light-colored. Ideal for contemporary or light-stain applications. Requires careful prep — maple is prone to blotching without a conditioner.
Learn moreHickory
Bold grain contrast and extreme hardness. Best left natural or lightly stained to preserve its dramatic character. Popular in rustic and farmhouse interiors.
Learn moreAsh
Open grain similar to oak with a lighter, creamy tone. Takes stain well and is an excellent substitute when white oak is on allocation.
Learn moreWhat to expect on the job site
Installation and finishing requirements
Unfinished hardwood requires more job-site time than prefinished — plan for acclimation, installation, sanding, and finish coats before the floor is usable.
Acclimate the wood
Stack boards in the installation space for 3–5 days before nailing. Michigan winters can drop indoor humidity below 30% — acclimate with the HVAC running at normal operating temperature.
Install and nail down
Unfinished solid hardwood is typically nailed or stapled to a wood subfloor. Minimum 3/4" subfloor required. Glue-down is an option over concrete with the right adhesive.
Sand in three passes
A drum or belt sander removes mill marks and levels the floor. Three grits — typically 36, 60, and 80 — are followed by an edge sander and hand scraper in corners.
Apply stain (optional)
Water-based or oil-based stain is applied after the final sand pass. Test on scrap boards first. Allow full dry time before applying finish coats.
Apply finish coats
Two to three coats of water-based polyurethane, oil-based poly, or hardwax oil are applied with light screening between coats. Allow 24–48 hours cure time per coat.
Choosing a finish
Finish options for unfinished hardwood floors
The finish you choose affects sheen, durability, maintenance, and repairability. Here are the four most common options used by Michigan flooring contractors.
Water-based polyurethane
Pros: Fast dry time, low odor, clear finish that does not amber over time. Ideal for white oak and maple.
Cons: Slightly less durable than oil-based. Requires more coats.
Oil-based polyurethane
Pros: Extremely durable, warm amber tone that enhances red oak and hickory. Industry standard for high-traffic areas.
Cons: Strong odor during application. 24–48 hour dry time per coat. Yellows slightly over time.
Hardwax oil
Pros: Penetrating finish that enhances natural grain. Easy spot repair — damaged areas can be touched up without refinishing the whole floor.
Cons: Requires periodic reapplication (every 2–5 years depending on traffic). Less surface protection than poly.
Rubio Monocoat
Pros: Single-coat penetrating oil with zero VOC. Excellent for white oak and natural finishes. Spot-repairable.
Cons: Higher material cost. Not suitable for all species without a primer coat.
Common questions
Unfinished hardwood flooring — FAQ
- What is unfinished hardwood flooring?
- Unfinished hardwood flooring is solid or engineered wood that is installed raw — without any factory stain or finish coating. After installation, the floor is sanded smooth on-site and then stained and finished to the homeowner's specification. This produces a seamless, custom surface that prefinished flooring cannot match.
- Is unfinished hardwood flooring cheaper than prefinished?
- The material cost per square foot is typically lower for unfinished hardwood. However, the total installed cost is similar or slightly higher because sanding and finishing labor adds $2–4 per square foot. On large projects, the lower material cost often offsets the finishing labor, and the result is a higher-quality floor.
- How long does it take to install and finish unfinished hardwood?
- A typical installation takes 1–2 days for the nailing, followed by 2–3 days for sanding and finish coats (including dry time between coats). Plan for 5–7 days total before the floor is ready for furniture. The space should be vacated during sanding and finishing due to dust and fumes.
- Can unfinished hardwood be installed over concrete?
- Solid unfinished hardwood should not be installed directly over concrete below grade (basements) due to moisture risk. Above-grade concrete slabs are possible with a glue-down installation using a moisture-barrier adhesive. Engineered unfinished hardwood is a better option for concrete subfloors at or below grade.
- What species of unfinished hardwood do you stock in Michigan?
- Quality Hardwoods of Michigan stocks unfinished red oak, white oak, maple, hickory, and ash in various widths and grades. We also carry unfinished engineered white oak for installations over concrete or radiant heat. Contact our Rochester Hills showroom for current inventory and pricing.
- How do I match unfinished hardwood to my existing floors?
- Bring a sample board or a photo of your existing floor to our showroom. Our team can recommend the closest species and grade match, and your finisher can blend the stain on-site after installation. Unfinished hardwood is the best option for matching existing floors because the stain is applied after installation rather than at the factory.
Related resources
Explore unfinished hardwood by species and brand
Ready to spec unfinished hardwood for your project?
Visit our Rochester Hills showroom to see species samples, grade boards, and stain options in person. Our team has been helping Michigan homeowners and contractors choose the right unfinished hardwood since 1985.